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Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures #6
A Case of Robbery on the Riviera
‘Oh, something is bound to go wrong, but one might as well start out from a position of optimism, don’t you think?’ said Angela.
It's fair to say that Freddy Pilkington-Soames is not having a good day. His grandmother is threatening to marry a lounge lizard, his old friend has lost her lover, a racehorse has been kidnapped, a priceless diamond has gone missing, and everybody seems to think he should sort it all out.
(Oh, and there's a dead body on the terrace.)
Now Freddy's on the sunny French Riviera, caught in the crossfire of a feud between an audacious thief he's locked horns with before and a murderous gang who will stop at nothing to get what they want. He'd keep his head down if he could, but there are questions that need answering. Who took the diamond? Who is double-crossing whom? And is his grandmother's intended quite all he seems?
(And where did that dead body go?)
A political scandal at the highest level is looming and the future of an international conference hangs in the balance, and once again it's up to Freddy to save the day—in more ways than one.
It's fair to say that Freddy Pilkington-Soames is not having a good day. His grandmother is threatening to marry a lounge lizard, his old friend has lost her lover, a racehorse has been kidnapped, a priceless diamond has gone missing, and everybody seems to think he should sort it all out.
(Oh, and there's a dead body on the terrace.)
Now Freddy's on the sunny French Riviera, caught in the crossfire of a feud between an audacious thief he's locked horns with before and a murderous gang who will stop at nothing to get what they want. He'd keep his head down if he could, but there are questions that need answering. Who took the diamond? Who is double-crossing whom? And is his grandmother's intended quite all he seems?
(And where did that dead body go?)
A political scandal at the highest level is looming and the future of an international conference hangs in the balance, and once again it's up to Freddy to save the day—in more ways than one.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2020
116 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Clara Benson
29 books349 followersClara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures - traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn't do any of those things.
If you want to be the first to hear about new releases, and to receive a free, exclusive short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.
If you want to be the first to hear about new releases, and to receive a free, exclusive short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 1, 2021
Oh joy! A new Freddy story, with added Angela and bonus Edgar - what could be more delicious? And yet… there’s always that niggle of fear that it won’t live up to my (rather high) expectations. Well, no danger of that. Very few books come close to perfection in my rather cynical eyes, but this one is absolutely the business. It has everything from gentle British humour to farce, from derring-do and ingenious escapes to high-tension encounters, a delightfully puzzling mystery to solve and a little romance, too. And every part of it is note-perfect.
Here’s the premise: Freddy Pilkington-Soames receives a cri de coeur from an old friend, Angela Marchmont (the star of a different series), who is in a spot of bother on the French Riviera. He also has a family crisis, in the person of Nugs, his grandfather, whose semi-detached wife is asking for a divorce so she can marry a lounge lizard. Since she’s also on the French Riviera, it seems like he can kill two birds with one stone. But then things begin to get complicated…
The heart of the plot is a priceless diamond, and since Angela’s spot of bother is her lover, Edgar Vallencourt, who happens to be a renowned jewel thief, and has now gone missing, there are lots of questions raised about his involvement. I’m not going to spoil the fun by giving away any more of the plot, but suffice to say there’s a lot of subterfuge going on, no one is quite what they seem and frankly I began to lose track of who was on whose side and who was double-crossing whom. But it didn’t matter, I just rolled with it, knowing that all would be resolved in the end.
The comedy is spot-on, greatly aided by Freddy’s wildly eccentric family. There are a number of characters who featured in previous Freddy or Angela books, but it’s not necessary to remember all the details. If you do, it will make the story a little bit richer, that’s all, but if you haven’t read the previous books, you really should.
The ending lifts the book above the usual level of this genre. As with the Angela series, the author doesn’t shy away from the difficult moral questions, and the answer here is a brave one, which I wasn’t expecting. Kudos for that. This is far and away the best Freddy book, and possibly the best Angela book, too. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Freddy Pilkington-Soames receives a cri de coeur from an old friend, Angela Marchmont (the star of a different series), who is in a spot of bother on the French Riviera. He also has a family crisis, in the person of Nugs, his grandfather, whose semi-detached wife is asking for a divorce so she can marry a lounge lizard. Since she’s also on the French Riviera, it seems like he can kill two birds with one stone. But then things begin to get complicated…
The heart of the plot is a priceless diamond, and since Angela’s spot of bother is her lover, Edgar Vallencourt, who happens to be a renowned jewel thief, and has now gone missing, there are lots of questions raised about his involvement. I’m not going to spoil the fun by giving away any more of the plot, but suffice to say there’s a lot of subterfuge going on, no one is quite what they seem and frankly I began to lose track of who was on whose side and who was double-crossing whom. But it didn’t matter, I just rolled with it, knowing that all would be resolved in the end.
The comedy is spot-on, greatly aided by Freddy’s wildly eccentric family. There are a number of characters who featured in previous Freddy or Angela books, but it’s not necessary to remember all the details. If you do, it will make the story a little bit richer, that’s all, but if you haven’t read the previous books, you really should.
The ending lifts the book above the usual level of this genre. As with the Angela series, the author doesn’t shy away from the difficult moral questions, and the answer here is a brave one, which I wasn’t expecting. Kudos for that. This is far and away the best Freddy book, and possibly the best Angela book, too. Five stars.
October 17, 2023
Funny but otherwise...
September 15, 2024
Angela and Freddy team up again!
This was a wild adventure, where Edgar is dragged back into his old life at the same time that Freddy’s grandmother wants a divorce, and he’s sent to go talk her out of it. Angela and Freddy have a ton of complications on their hands! Lots of fun, terrifying at times, and a great ending.
This was a wild adventure, where Edgar is dragged back into his old life at the same time that Freddy’s grandmother wants a divorce, and he’s sent to go talk her out of it. Angela and Freddy have a ton of complications on their hands! Lots of fun, terrifying at times, and a great ending.
March 7, 2023
Angela and Freddy together again and it was a fun adventure!
December 12, 2020
Love it, love it, love it! I normally don't like to read about characters that walked into the sunset to have their happily ever after. Angela Marchmont's series was complete and we were now following Freddy's adventures. Yet, having her back for this escapist romp in the French Riviera was so much fun! Familiar characters and new ones find themselves involved in the theft of a invaluable brooch. There's adventure, romance, danger and a sense of humor that had me laughing out loud. 2020 may not have been a good year for the world, but Angela and Freddy brought readers a few hours of happiness in paradise.
September 13, 2022
2.5 and rounding up
This one is more an adventure book with the "mystery" part tacked on as a formality.
The characters here are so flat and lifeless it's actually amazing... The writing style saves it as I was entertained enough through out but I kept mixing up the side characters they were so same-y. This should not be the case when you could count them using one hand!
Plot = Some woman got her diamond stolen and there is a known criminal in the group. Freddy needs to find the REAL thief or jewel before the fingers start pointing.
Also do you remember the tailor lady from book 4? No? Well this book banks on you remembering the details of that one... because obviously a character that was designed to not be intrusive or leave a mark is the one you're going to remember two books later! Not even including people like me that read this out of order.
Honestly this one is the weakest. Characters completely devoid of personality, no mystery what so ever and the premise itself is really bland.
This one is more an adventure book with the "mystery" part tacked on as a formality.
The characters here are so flat and lifeless it's actually amazing... The writing style saves it as I was entertained enough through out but I kept mixing up the side characters they were so same-y. This should not be the case when you could count them using one hand!
Plot = Some woman got her diamond stolen and there is a known criminal in the group. Freddy needs to find the REAL thief or jewel before the fingers start pointing.
Also do you remember the tailor lady from book 4? No? Well this book banks on you remembering the details of that one... because obviously a character that was designed to not be intrusive or leave a mark is the one you're going to remember two books later! Not even including people like me that read this out of order.
Honestly this one is the weakest. Characters completely devoid of personality, no mystery what so ever and the premise itself is really bland.
December 5, 2021
More of an adventure story than a mystery, so not quite what I was looking for. I think I preferred the other Pilkington-Soames stories to this one as they were less 'adventurous'.
February 3, 2022
A great ending..although I think we should hear more about Freddie and his maybe soon to be wife?
September 21, 2023
This was more fun than usual for this light-hearted historical mystery series, set in the interwar years in England, mostly.
This time, Freddy is dragged along as companion (and watchdog) to his grandfather on a family face-saving mission to the French Riviera. Apparently grandparents “Baba” and “Nugs”, have had one of those tumultuous aristocratic marriages that provided so much copy for the scandal rags of the day. Baba has carried on affairs on the Riviera since she left Nugs, and they’ve never divorced; now she’s being rather too blatant with a questionable, and much younger Comte, and planning to marry him. Freddy and Nugs are to go and “talk sense into her” according to Freddy’s mama, a gossip columnist who says she simply can’t get away herself to take care of matters. Freddy is surprised to arrive at his hotel, just beginning to see the appeal of a few days R&R away from his reporting job in London, to find a dear old friend staying at the same place, and in need of help.
Any spoilers would be mild and predictable, but I’ll play along and just say there’s a brazen jewel theft to be spoiled, a missing lover and his prize racehorse to be found, and a diplomatic crisis to be averted! Oh, and keep his grandmother from marrying a shady aristocrat. All in a day’s work for Freddy! He acquits himself rather well here, and it was fun to be along for the ride. I look forward to his next adventure, though it would be hard to top this outing!
This time, Freddy is dragged along as companion (and watchdog) to his grandfather on a family face-saving mission to the French Riviera. Apparently grandparents “Baba” and “Nugs”, have had one of those tumultuous aristocratic marriages that provided so much copy for the scandal rags of the day. Baba has carried on affairs on the Riviera since she left Nugs, and they’ve never divorced; now she’s being rather too blatant with a questionable, and much younger Comte, and planning to marry him. Freddy and Nugs are to go and “talk sense into her” according to Freddy’s mama, a gossip columnist who says she simply can’t get away herself to take care of matters. Freddy is surprised to arrive at his hotel, just beginning to see the appeal of a few days R&R away from his reporting job in London, to find a dear old friend staying at the same place, and in need of help.
Any spoilers would be mild and predictable, but I’ll play along and just say there’s a brazen jewel theft to be spoiled, a missing lover and his prize racehorse to be found, and a diplomatic crisis to be averted! Oh, and keep his grandmother from marrying a shady aristocrat. All in a day’s work for Freddy! He acquits himself rather well here, and it was fun to be along for the ride. I look forward to his next adventure, though it would be hard to top this outing!
September 28, 2023
I found this episode with Freddy a bit of a disappointment really. This series has always had a good helping of humour, but it was lacking in my opinion. I didn’t feel there was a need to bring the main character of this author’s other series, as Freddy is a strong enough character in his own right.
Freddy is forced by his mother, to go to France with his grandfather, as his grandmother wants a divorce so she can marry a man she has met there. Freddy’s mother feels that this is a disgraceful situation, and is letting the whole family down in the eyes of society. At first Freddy is unwilling to go, but when his friend Angela Marchmont let’s him know that she needs his help,he decides to go. Freddy’s grandfather is quite a character, we have met in a previous book just how extrovert he is, so I was sure there would be some pretty humorous moments, but this is played down, and the story is more concerned with Angela and her “marriage” than his grandparents. The book then is taken over by robberies, gangs, and murders, and the happy-ever-after we were left with at the end of the author‘s other series is brought into question.
I hope this series will now revert back to Freddy and his exploits, rather than just be a backup to the one before.
Freddy is forced by his mother, to go to France with his grandfather, as his grandmother wants a divorce so she can marry a man she has met there. Freddy’s mother feels that this is a disgraceful situation, and is letting the whole family down in the eyes of society. At first Freddy is unwilling to go, but when his friend Angela Marchmont let’s him know that she needs his help,he decides to go. Freddy’s grandfather is quite a character, we have met in a previous book just how extrovert he is, so I was sure there would be some pretty humorous moments, but this is played down, and the story is more concerned with Angela and her “marriage” than his grandparents. The book then is taken over by robberies, gangs, and murders, and the happy-ever-after we were left with at the end of the author‘s other series is brought into question.
I hope this series will now revert back to Freddy and his exploits, rather than just be a backup to the one before.
December 17, 2024
Clara Benson’s A Case of Robbery in the Riviera is another delightful installment in the Freddy Pilkington-Soames series, and it proves once again why these books are the perfect definition of cozy mysteries. Lighthearted, charming, and endlessly entertaining, this book takes readers to the glamour of the French Riviera, where Freddy finds himself juggling shady characters, unexpected dangers, and his own family drama.
Freddy Pilkington-Soames is not quite a detective—he’s a newspaper journalist, after all—but his knack for stumbling into mysteries makes him as unassuming as he is unpredictable. This time, an old friend summons him to track down a lover, which seems straightforward enough… except that Freddy is also contending with his grandparents’ imminent divorce scandal, promising just as much chaos.
The story has the perfect mix of intrigue and humor, featuring shady characters like robbers and even murderers, yet it never loses its lighthearted tone. Freddy, as always, manages to land himself in a bind, but it’s precisely his bumbling-yet-brilliant nature that makes him such an endearing protagonist.
This is the fourth book Ive read in the series, and I continue to enjoy how Clara Benson crafts stories that are both engaging and cozy.
Freddy Pilkington-Soames is not quite a detective—he’s a newspaper journalist, after all—but his knack for stumbling into mysteries makes him as unassuming as he is unpredictable. This time, an old friend summons him to track down a lover, which seems straightforward enough… except that Freddy is also contending with his grandparents’ imminent divorce scandal, promising just as much chaos.
The story has the perfect mix of intrigue and humor, featuring shady characters like robbers and even murderers, yet it never loses its lighthearted tone. Freddy, as always, manages to land himself in a bind, but it’s precisely his bumbling-yet-brilliant nature that makes him such an endearing protagonist.
This is the fourth book Ive read in the series, and I continue to enjoy how Clara Benson crafts stories that are both engaging and cozy.
January 10, 2021
Another fun jaunt with Freddy featuring Angela Marchmont and Edgar Valencourt. Freddy goes along to the Rivera on two errands: he must somehow help his grandfather stop his grandmother from going through with a divorce and his friend Angela has asked him to help her find out why Edgar has seemingly disappeared. Freddy doesn't feel up to either task, but goes along to see what he can do to help and ends up involved in a complex jewel robbery, murder, criminal gangs, and blackmail.
I really enjoy Clara Benson's books. They are fun to read and Freddy is certainly an amazing character. He gives the impression of being somewhat like Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster on the surface, but with a stubborn curiosity and more brains than you'd think. I like Angela as well. She is a strong minded woman with intelligence, style, and a craving for justice. Highly recommended!
I really enjoy Clara Benson's books. They are fun to read and Freddy is certainly an amazing character. He gives the impression of being somewhat like Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster on the surface, but with a stubborn curiosity and more brains than you'd think. I like Angela as well. She is a strong minded woman with intelligence, style, and a craving for justice. Highly recommended!
October 2, 2023
This was a quick, but very forgetable read. Freddy is asked by his mother to visit the Riviera with his grandfather, as his grandmother is demanding a divorce in order to re-marry a dubious, younger man. Unwilling to be involved, his mind is changed by a message from his friend, Angela Marchmont, asking for his help. As she is, coincidentally, in the same place, he sets off to see what he can do.
Angela has lost her ex-jewel thief, Edgar Valencourt. Then, suddenly, we are mixed up in an odd adventure, involving gangs, robberies, threats and other confusing scenes, where characters are caught, locked up, escape and there is general mayhem in the sunshine. Not the best in a generally light-hearted but rather mundane series.
Angela has lost her ex-jewel thief, Edgar Valencourt. Then, suddenly, we are mixed up in an odd adventure, involving gangs, robberies, threats and other confusing scenes, where characters are caught, locked up, escape and there is general mayhem in the sunshine. Not the best in a generally light-hearted but rather mundane series.
March 9, 2021
This is the sixth book in the Freddy Pilkington-Soames series and probably surpasses the previous exploits of this Woosterish reporter and sleuth. Best news of all is the return of his elegant and clever friend Angela Marchmont, previously the heroine of her own series of books before she departed for the States with her disreputable lover. So good to have her back and to have the two of them united in a complicated caper on the French Riviera, unravelling a jewel theft as well as a personal drama involving Freddy's colourful grandfather Nugs.
Sure to bring a smile to your face as you try to work out what on earth is going on.
Sure to bring a smile to your face as you try to work out what on earth is going on.
May 21, 2021
Another enjoyable mystery featuring Freddy Pilkington-Soames. I ignored Benson’s gentle suggestion at the beginning that one might want to read her Angela Marchmont series before this one, as events and characters from those books feature prominently in this book . I think she’s probably right, but I went ahead and read this anyway, and enjoyed it despite not knowing all of the backstory. And now I have a whole new series to start, as I did like Angela very much.
December 15, 2020
A great read
Angela Marchmont and Freddie Pilkington - Soames come together for this story. The action takes place in the South of France and is full of atmosphere. I really enjoyed this book ,it is the best so far. Putting Angela and Freddie together is fabulous fun. I hope there will more of these to come.
Angela Marchmont and Freddie Pilkington - Soames come together for this story. The action takes place in the South of France and is full of atmosphere. I really enjoyed this book ,it is the best so far. Putting Angela and Freddie together is fabulous fun. I hope there will more of these to come.
September 25, 2025
A rather more serious Freddy
This one starts with an apparently rather flippant plot with Freddy and his grandfather off to save his wayward grandmother from the clutches of a lounge lizard. However it quickly turns into something rather more serious with Angela Marchmont and Edgar Vallencourt.
I enjoyed this rather more serious side to Freddy.
This one starts with an apparently rather flippant plot with Freddy and his grandfather off to save his wayward grandmother from the clutches of a lounge lizard. However it quickly turns into something rather more serious with Angela Marchmont and Edgar Vallencourt.
I enjoyed this rather more serious side to Freddy.
January 13, 2021
I only rated this 4 stars because it didn’t end the way I wanted it to...but, of course, the main character has to be true to her characterization.
I have enjoyed all the books by Clara Benson and this is no exception. She is excellent in her creating and I have no real complaints.
I have enjoyed all the books by Clara Benson and this is no exception. She is excellent in her creating and I have no real complaints.
March 7, 2021
She’s back!
The unlikely couple and the irreverent reporter join forces against the backdrop of every quarantine traveler’s dream. As ever, these 2 are witty, cool and living their lives against type. Great stuff.
The unlikely couple and the irreverent reporter join forces against the backdrop of every quarantine traveler’s dream. As ever, these 2 are witty, cool and living their lives against type. Great stuff.
November 14, 2021
I adored this. I haven't read the Angel Marchmont series but I now cant wait to start it. What fun!
I hope this isnt the end of Freddie. I would rather like to find him happily married at some point.
I hope this isnt the end of Freddie. I would rather like to find him happily married at some point.
Read
March 13, 2021This is the final book of this series, and ties in with the further adventures of Angela Marchmont as well. This case had a lot of twists and turns, and on the whole was a satisfying end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2021
I absolutely loved the continuation of the story of Angela Marchmont and Edgar Valencourt that is contained within this Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure!
November 29, 2021
Excellent, really enjoyed this.
July 7, 2022
Another entertainment escapade of Freddy, some great twists and turns.
January 2, 2023
Very good book. No cursing or smut in her books. It’s a good old fashioned murder/theft. Who doesn’t love a good British who done it. I love her books!
August 3, 2024
This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
August 27, 2023
1930s. Firstly the grandmother of Freddy Pilkington-Soames, Lady Cecily Wareham wants a divorce, and secondly, friend Angela Marshmont needs his help. Thankfully both are staying on the French Riviera. Can he help them both without getting in too much trouble.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with iys likeable main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with iys likeable main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
August 5, 2024
"Well, I mean to say, it's hardly the done thing to expect one's present and future husband's to exchange polite nothings over the salade niçoise, is it?The more faint-hearted of the company won't know where to look"
I didn't read the previous series, so I don't have a relationship with Angela. But I must say I wasn't impressed with her personality, she annoyed me. And I think she got way too many pages. It's Freddie's book not hers!
I didn't read the previous series, so I don't have a relationship with Angela. But I must say I wasn't impressed with her personality, she annoyed me. And I think she got way too many pages. It's Freddie's book not hers!
March 11, 2025
The best so far.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews